Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon planners seem to have to accepted the reality of global warming. The event, on Saturday, takes place two weeks later than last year’s run and four weeks later than the 2005 installment of the race (which, in addition to being really hot, was improperly marked).
Pushing the event deeper into the fall seems like a wise move. If this year’s marathon had taken place the first weekend in October, as it did in 2006, entrants would have been subjected to the heat wave that ruined the Chicago Marathon. Downtown Kansas City recorded a high of 87 degrees on October 6 -- yikes!
Even with the later date, the 2007 Kansas City Marathon will be on the crispy side. The forecast says it will be 59 degrees at 9 a.m., two hours after the race begins. Air temperature of 50 degrees is considered optimal for endurance running.
Given the state of the planet, how long will it be before Kansas City Marathon organizers start looking at November and the Gobbler Grind in Overland Park considers a change to a Santa theme? – David Martin
